PERHAPS this is the most interesting Bandon Co-op Carbery Junior A Football Championship semi-final line-up we have had in years.

Reigning champions Kilmacabea were expected by most to make it this far, but for St Mary’s, Tadhg MacCarthaigh and Kilbrittain this presents a huge opportunity.

Similar with the hurling last weekend, extra-time and penalties will be required if needed.

Friday evening sees favourites Kilmacabea take on Kilbrittain in Dunmanway (7.45pm) in what seems like a David v Golaith tie. Kilbrittain first teams, impressively, are unbeaten across both football and hurling. It’s a remarkable feat for the club thus far but this will be one of their biggest tests of all.

Kilmacabea powered to a 3-8 to 0-9 win over Barryroe in the quarter-final, reemphasising their title credentials while Kilbrittain saw off near neighbours Argideen Rangers 1-11 to 2-5.

Damien Gore has been Kilmacs’ overriding threat for years now and is still flying with 2-21 in four games (2-12 from play). Ian Jennings and Liam McCarthy have hit 1-7 each but it’s obvious who Kilbrittain need to get a hold of if they are to have a chance.

For the Kilbrittain forwards, Conor Hogan has been accurate from frees with 2-15 while Josh O’Donovan (2-5), Ronan Crowley (1-6) and Mark Hickey (1-4) have shown well too.

The Black and Amber can be regarded as the giant-killers in this championship but if they were to pull off a result here, it would be the mother of all shocks. Kilmacabea will be expected to win but knowing the way this year’s championship has gone, you just never know.

St Mary's Dylan Scannell is tackled by Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's Robbie Lucey during their quarter-final.

The other semi-final takes place on Saturday, which is the meeting of Tadhg MacCarthaigh and St Mary’s in Castlehaven (5pm), a repeat of the 2021 decider that the Caheragh club won 2-10 to 1-8. That time, Mary’s were going for a double but unfortunately for them, lost both football and hurling finals (Ballinascarthy toppled them in the other code). This time, there are no dual commitments. All focus lies with the big ball.

Both clubs got over the quarter-final by the minimum. Mary’s saw off local rivals Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas (0-10 to 0-9) while Caheragh had just enough for Goleen (1-14 to 1-13).

Much will depend on the fitness of Olan Corcoran for Mary’s, who went off injured against Carbery Rangers and didn’t recover in time for the quarter-final. The former Cork U20 has hit 0-17 in two and bit games and his presence would be a massive boost for the Ballineen/Enniskeane club.

His fitness is even more paramount when you look at who Caheragh have down the other end. Charlie McCarthy (with a total of 0-26) is the current top scorer from play in the championship with 0-19, and scored 0-9 against Goleen, including two two-pointers. Overall, only Kilmacabea's Gore and Goleen's Michael O'Reilly have scored more. Dylan Murray (2-11) and Luke Shorten (1-8) have also been serious threats up front for a Caheragh side who are on a three-game winning streak.

The performance from the likes of Dylan Scannell and Rory O’Connor will be crucial for Mary’s if Corcoran isn’t available. A huge opportunity for a West Cork final for both sides.